Finishing ahead of traditional rowing powerhouses, UCC rowers placed third overall at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association Championships, known as “School Boys.” Thousands competed, from across Canada and the northeast United States, at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta course in Port Dalhousie, Ont. on June 4 to 6.
UCC was ranked third amongst men's programs in North America at the conclusion of racing on Sunday, with E.L. Crossley School from Fonthill, Ont. finishing first and St. Georges School from Vancouver placing second. UCC finished ahead of repeat contenders such as Brentwood College School, Ridley College, Vancouver College, Shawnigan Lake School and many others.
The team entered seven events which were Sr. Heavy 8+, Sr. 72 kg 8+, Jr. Heavy 8+, Jr. 72 kg 8+, Sr. Heavy 2x, Sr. 72 kg 2x and Jr. Heavy 2x. I
Out of these seven entries, six crews advanced through the heats and semi-finals with outstanding performances to qualify for the finals on Sunday. Significantly, this event marks the first time ever that any school has won both the Jr. 72 kg 8+ and Jr. Heavy 8+ with the exact same line-up.
The only crew not able to advance to the finals was the Jr. Heavy 2x consisting of Karman Cheema, Jonathan Clements. “This was the first School Boy experience for these boys and they showed great promise for the years to come,” says coach Grant Boyd.
Racing was intense on Sunday, with a number of races being decided by 100ths of a second. “The level of competition at School Boy is incredibly high and our boys stepped up and didn't back down from the challenge,” says Boyd. “I was very proud of the boys and how they handled the intensity and maintained their focus. UCC rowing is a high performance sport and that’s certainly how the boys represented themselves and the program that weekend.”
Congratulations to the team on a great season.
